The Games Game

Can't Get No Respect (October 2004)

Dear Tom,

I've just begun my senior year in high school, and my dad has asked me what I wanted to study. Like, duh! He's seen me playing games late into the night. He's complained about all the game review sites and chat rooms I bookmark. We've had long heart-to-heart talks about online safety after I posted my own game ideas and reviews of games. Until I got my driver's license, he used to have to come pick me up at the arcade all the time. My walls are papered with video game posters and my own drawings of video game characters. It should be obvious to him that I want to work in games.

But when I told him that's what I want to do, he got this, like, pained expression. He went into this rant about how I should pursue a "serious" career. He said it would be a waste to study anything related to games. He feels so strongly about it that he told me he would not pay for me to major in anything that he doesn't regard as a "serious" degree He mentioned stuff like law, medicine, business... I don't remember the exact list.

I truly have my heart set on working in games. I want to go to DigiPen, but my dad totally refuses to pay for it. What's a senior to do?

Dear Anonymous,

I am impressed that you can back up your stated passion with examples of what you've done in the pursuit of your passion. I have received queries like yours from guys who said they were passionate about games, but whose only evidence for that passion was the fact that they'd been doing nothing but playing games.

You should by all means continue following your passion. But be more proactive. Make sure that your dad sees that you have not only been playing games but also writing and drawing - and make sure he understands that these are proof that this is where your passions and talents lie.

A former coworker of mine teaches at DigiPen, so I imagine that it's a perfectly fine place to study. But before you go there, you should get a Bachelors degree in a mainstream college or university. In regards to what major you study, it might have to be you who compromises here. Studying medicine won't get you into games, but law and business can. Or maybe your dad would support your pursuing a writing degree, or computer programming or something. Get together with your dad again and see if you can't find something you can both live with. You just need a degree, then once that's under your belt, you can start figuring out how to pay for the tuition at DigiPen - if you still think you need it. After getting your bachelor's, you may have to get some kind of "day job" (as they say) while continuing to pursue your passion, through mods or indy game development.

It's not unusual for some parents to look disdainfully upon entertainment-related careers. You should be glad that your dad cares so much about your future. It's up to you to be creative and find a way to pursue your passions in a way that he finds acceptable. Failing that, you may have to do it without his support.

(Editor's Note: Many parents simply don't under the size and seriousness of the games business, nor the complexity and challenge of the game creation process. Helping parents understand the current game industry could go a long way to there acceptance of games as a valid career choice - or at least accepting that middle-ground Tom suggests. Check the IGDA Breaking In site for resources and references (including the intro letter), as well as some of industry stats.)